Dexter playground work progressing, but on a smaller scale

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    DEXTER — The Dexter Community Playground Committee had another successful talent show this spring, generating $6,700 in revenue including a matching grant from Modern Woodmen of America.
    The committee also received a $2,500 check from the Plum Creek Foundation recently, the charitable branch of one of Maine’s largest forest landowners.

Contributed photos

    PLAYGROUND CONTRIBUTIONS — The Dexter Community Playground Committee recently held their annual Heart of Maine Idol Talent Show fundraiser and partnered with Modern Woodmen of America in their Matching Fund Program. Pictured, top photo, from left, are Melodie Stanhope, vice president of the Playground Committee; Sue Hill, committee president; and Michelle and Aaron Lamoreau, both members of the Playground Committee and Modern Woodmen of America. The couple presented a check for $6,700, which includes money made from the show plus the Marching Fund. Plum Creek Foundation, bottom photo, recently awarded the Dexter Community Playground Committee $2,500 toward their goal in completing the new playground at Crosby Park. Accepting the check is Sue Hill, left, president of the Playground Committee from John Fogerty, Plum Creek Foundation representative.

    And despite marginal weather, a Father’s Day benefit golf tournament also netted $410 for the committee.
    With other contributions over the past few years, the committee has raised more than $32,000 for new playground equipment in Crosby Park to replace the aging wooden structures which became worn out and dangerous over time.
    But committee chair Sue Hill said that many things on the organization’s original “wish list” are simply unaffordable. “Some of the original concept photos being circulated around town had around $130,000 worth of equipment in them. We just don’t want to mislead the public,” Hill said. “It would be virtually impossible to raise that kind of money in today’s economy. Major grants are very hard to obtain, so we’re very thankful to everyone who has helped us so far.”
    New additions to the park include more swings — which have proven to be one of the most popular features — and additional “spring toys” for toddlers.
    The Tri-County Technical Center carpentry class has donated two picnic tables to the park and two more are being donated by Home Depot, Hill said.
    Last year, committee volunteers installed a climbing unit, six swings, a 10-person merry-go-round, a treehouse-type climber for 2- to 5-year-olds, four park benches and three “surfers” or surfboards on springs.
    McKusick Construction, Wyman Construction, Steve Lawson Construction and the town’s public works department contributed around 90 percent of the labor for the playground project and Hardwood Products of Guilford donated the wood chips.
    Hill said that hopefully, the entire project will be wrapped up next year. “While we’ve ‘downsized’ our ideas a bit, it’s still a huge improvement for the community,” she said.
    The next major playground fund-raising event will be the second annual Family Fun Day in September. The first event — which included kids’ games, music, food and vendors — raised around $3,000.
    Anyone interested in more information about the event can contact Beth Wintle at 270-0034 or visit the Dexter Community Playground Facebook page.